Phony Benoni: <perfidious> There's room for research about 19th century attitudes toward the world championship. <We> know what happened--history is 20-20, after all--but it may not have been as clear at the time. As a comparison, think of the confusion in the 1990s when it wasn't clear whether FIDE or Kasparov and his Friends would ultimately prevail.

I came across another tidbit today. When Lasker clinched first in the Paris 1900 tournament, the headline in the New York Times was <"LASKER STILL CHAMPION">, as if to imply he wouldn't have been had he not won the tournament.

Now these are little molehills against mountains of contrary evidence. But it's still a question that could use some research.

tessathedog: I am hoping to visit England next year and play in the Hastings tournament, partly to sense the "chess history" of the place (not to mention it's other historic connections). I wonder does anyone know exactly where the great 1895 tournament was played, and if the building is still standing?

Edeltalent: <tessathedog> I played there at the end of last year for exactly your reasons. Honestly speaking I couldn't sense much of the chess history during the tournament, which now takes place in a sports hall. Still a very well organized event with excellent playing conditions and a strong field.

tessathedog: Thank you very much <Edeltalent> for your response and your most informative link. So, the building the tournament was played in still stands...that will be interesting to visit. Interesting too to see a photo of the Queens Hotel, which presumably still stands too, in which the players were accommodated. I am not quite sure, but seem to recall reading that Capablanca was treated differently...he was put up in the higher quality "King's Hotel". In any case, if these are still in operation, they will be the "must stay there" choice for accommodation if I do in fact visit Hastings this year! Many thanks again for responding to my post, I really appreciate it.

Chessical: According to Raymond Keene in "The Spectator" of 27th June 2015: "In the first round of Hastings 1895, the German grandmaster Dr Siegbert Tarrasch lost on time with me move to go against Amos Burn."

In fact, Burn lost to Tarrasch in round 9, whilst Tarrasch lost on time to James Mason in round 1.

MissScarlett: I've read that Blackburne played a vital role in Pillsbury's invitation to the event. Anyone know more?

The <Pall Mall Gazette> of July 13th 1895, p.9, reveals that 38 masters applied for places, from which the final 22 had been selected. Perhaps this is stage where Blackburne's apparent influence was felt.

The tournament intro claims that Pillsbury was 'relatively unknown', which is relatively inarguable, but I do note the <(London) Standard> of July 16th, p.7, states the line-up are all <well known, with the exception of Vergani>.

Paarhufer: <solskytz: One should mention that Lasker was ill with Typhus at the time of the tournament, and almost died.>

Lasker's illness begun at the end of October 1894 (newspapers reported on a cancelled appointment). The following text is from the <The Belfast News-Letter>, 1 November 1894:

"It is with regret that we learn that Herr Lasker, the eminent chess master, and Chess Champion of the world, is now lying in St. Thomas' Hospital, suffering from an attack of gastric fever with additional danger through the breaking of a bloodvessel. So critical was Lasker's condition at the end of last week that his brother Dr. Lasker was summoned from Berlin. Since that time the illness has taken a favourable course towards recovery, and it is hoped that the greatest part of the danger is now past. The patient is in good hands and nothing will be left undone that can either alleviate his sufferings or hasten his recovery. In any case many weeks must necessarily elapse before he can resume to play."

On May 26, 1894, he won the championship of the world by scoring his tenth win against Steinitz's five (four drawn). On October 19, in the same year, he was taken suddenly ill with typhoid fever, when he was carefully attended by Dr. B. Lasker, his brother, who came over from Berlin for the purpose. This illness, after some delays, prevented him playing his promised return match with Steinitz. Doubtless he will, however, now soon give Steinitz an opportunity for revenge.

>

whereupon we learn the exact affliction, and the exact date it struck.

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